Snickerdoodle muddy buddies (AKA puppy chow) is a sweet, no-bake snack mix. Chex cereal is coated in white chocolate and tossed in cinnamon sugar.
I can't get enough cinnamon this time of year. That's what makes this snickerdoodle muddy buddies the perfect snack for the fall season. Chex cereal is coated in melted white chocolate, then tossed in two types of sugar and cinnamon.
Puppy chow is a great snack for several reasons. One, you don't need to turn on the oven. Two, you can easily double or triple this recipe to feed a crowd. Three, you only need a few simple ingredients to make this addictive snack!
Snickerdoodle puppy chow is perfect for fall snacking. Readers love serving this for holidays like Halloween and Christmas!
What is puppy chow?
It should go without saying, but - snickerdoodle puppy chow is meant for humans only, not dogs!
This popular American snack was named "puppy chow" due to its similar look to the dog food with the same name. It's also known as muddy buddies or reindeer chow.
For more information, check out: Wikipedia: Puppy chow (snack)
Ingredients and substitutions
- Chex cereal - Any plain chex cereal works for this recipe, like rice chex or corn chex. Wheat chex can also be used if desired. Or, try using a combination of all three!
- White chocolate chips - Can be substituted with white chocolate melting wafers.
- Granulated sugar and cinnamon - These two ingredients add a snickerdoodle cookie texture to the coating of your puppy chow.
- Confectioner's sugar - Coats your cereal, giving it a classic powdered puppy chow/muddy buddies look.
Puppy chow without peanut butter
Traditional puppy chow, or muddy buddies, contains peanut butter. If you're not familiar, here is a fantastic recipe for a classic puppy chow.
However, nut allergies can be an issue, especially with kids, school parties, and birthdays. This snickerdoodle puppy chow contains no peanut butter, making it the perfect snack mix for your next Halloween party, event at school, or to add to birthday party grab bags.
Serving a crowd
This recipe, as shown, makes about eight half cup servings. For a large party, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to fill a large bowl.
Optional mix-ins
I'd suggest adding about 1 cup of mix-ins for every 4 cups of chex cereal used. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Pretzels
- Mini marshmallows
- Graham cracker pieces
- M&M's candies
- Candy corn
- Peanuts
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Almonds
Recommended
Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)
Ingredients
- 4 cups chex cereal
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add cereal. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, microwave white chocolate chips for 30 seconds, stir. Microwave for additional 30 second increments until chips are melted and smooth. Pour chocolate over cereal and stir carefully to fully cover but not break the cereal. Pour cereal mixture into a large gallon size plastic bag (or, continue in the same bowl you're using).
- In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon and granulated sugar. Pour over cereal mixture, close bag, and shake to coat cereal. Add powdered sugar, close bag, and shake to evenly coat cereal (or, stir until evenly coated, if using a bowl).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and pour cereal mixture into a single layer. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes (or until chocolate has hardened). Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- It should go without saying but, this snack mix is meant for human consumption only and is not made for dogs.
- Using a plastic bag is optional, you can toss your cereal to coat in the original bowl you were using, or in a paper bag.
- Mixing in a bowl will be a bit messier, so I suggest using an apron and a large bowl in case the powdered sugar goes flying!
- Optional mix-ins. Try adding 1 cup of mix-ins for every 4 cups of cereal used: pretzels, m&m's candies, nuts, cookie pieces, mini marshmallows, or graham cracker pieces.
- For a large party, try doubling or tripling this recipe.
This stuff is soo good! We are definitely making it again! Next best thing to eating a snickerdoodle cookie.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Cinnamon Chex amped it up!
Great idea!
What kind of chex do you use.
Hi Lisa, you can use any kind of chex, but I like to use rice or corn chex.
Great snack mix, we doubled for a party. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing! Heck YES to this flavor!!
So good!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Hi Vanessa! It does start to get less crunchy the longer you keep it. It should keep for 1 week if stored in a tightly sealed container.